British-trained runners continued their stranglehold on the very valuable Tattersalls Ireland Sale Stakes Race at the Curragh on Saturday as Michael Kinane rode the winner for the second year running as he forced Fulke Johnson Houghtons Beaver Patrol to a length success over favourite, Indesatchel.
Of course Johnson Houghton trained the 2002 victor, Tout Seul. However even he must have thought hed have to settle for the runner-up spot this time as Jamie Spencer drove the aforementioned market-leader to the front with over a furlong to race.
The triumphant chestnut son of Tagula is a tough sort though and with Kinane on his back they merged to form a powerful force. Getting back on top inside the final furlong the 18,000 Euro yearling stuck on very strongly to score.
Backed from 16/1 to 9/2 when making a winning debut back in April, in the number one spot since and add to that a cheque here for 147,000 Euro and one gets some idea of how big a bargain that purchase price was for the winning owner.
Johnson Houghton remarked afterwards, 'I thought hed run well but hed be better over seven. He battled well and won well in the end and Ive put him in the Racing Post Trophy although that may be a bit optimistic.'
Kinane had to settle for the runner-up spot in the following Group 2 Futurity Stakes. Riding Democratic Deficit for Jim Bolger, the pair had no answer to Jamie Spencer on 5/4 favourite, Oratorio. This Aidan OBrien trained colt came home an impressive two length winner to set himself up for a tilt at the National Stakes over the course and distance next month.
OBrien said of the twice previously successful son of Danehill, 'Jamie hadnt ridden him in a race for a while and he couldnt believe how much he has improved. Hopefully the National Stakes will be next for him now.'
Walayef gained all three of her career wins at the Curragh (including last years Athasi Stakes) and her full-sister, Ulfah kept up the family tradition registering her second Listed race victory in the Belgrave Stakes. Kevin Prendergast trained both fillies for Hamdan Al Maktoum and he will now consider options with the owner before making plans.
The race went quite simply for the Declan McDonagh-ridden 7/1 shot, getting to the front before halfway and making the rest, holding off the strong late challenge of joint favourite, Desert Fantasy by a head.
To win three handicaps on the bounce is quite a feat and to do so at headquarters is an even more noteworthy achievement. Kid Creole accomplished this when dropping down to six furlongs under his regular partner Pat Cosgrave. The 6/1 joint favourite stormed through between horses for a comfortable length and a half win.
Ted Walshs gelding previously had an aversion to the stalls and went to Laytown last year to avoid them. He won his maiden on the strand and will go back to the Co. Meath venue next month for a handicap.
Taken from 6/1 to 7/2 on track, Tommy Stacks Berenson was the buzz horse for the opening seven furlong maiden. Those who invested in the gamble were proved correct in quite convincing style, the son of Entrepreneur quickening well under Wayne Lordan in the last furlong to assert his superiority, crossing the line a length and a half in front.
Tommys son Fozzy said in the aftermath, 'we knew he was a nice horse but its difficult to be confident in a nineteen-runner Curragh maiden with so many newcomers. He holds entries in the National Stakes and Racing Post Trophy.'
Elsewhere Noel Meade thinks he could have a Listed class horse on his hands after Arch Rebel had defied top-weight in the mile two furlong handicap under Fran Berry whilst Poetical finally opened her account in very easy style in the closing maiden.
